OFFICE OF MINERAL RESOURCES (OMR)
SPECIAL NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ARCHIVES
Public Comment Requested: Amendment to State Lease Form Regarding Rental Payment Timelines
The Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board, in collaboration with the Office of State Resources, welcomes written public comments on its proposal to revise the current State Lease Form. The revisions include updating references to C&E and its offices due to C&E's reorganization and a proposed amendment to Article 3 regarding the timeline of rental payments. The proposed amendment would allow the Lessor, at its discretion, to waive lease termination for late rent under specified conditions.
In accordance with Resolution 25-12-004, the Board is accepting written public comments on this draft from January 9 through February 8, 2026. Inquiries and responsive written comments should be submitted to Elizabeth Ferrier, Attorney, Office of the Secretary, at Elizabeth.Ferrier@la.gov.
Public Comment Requested: 2026 State Lease Investment Program-Royalty Reduction Incentives for State Mineral Leases
The Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board, in collaboration with the Office of State Resources, welcomes written public comment on its draft 2026 State Lease Investment Program, a novel program through which eligible state mineral lessees may request targeted reduction of royalty on production from qualifying state lease wells. The Program, created in accordance with Executive Order JML 25-72, is intended to stimulate meaningful investment in Louisiana’s vast public mineral resources by reducing economic barriers to entry for prudent lessees and operators.
The Board is accepting written public comments on this draft from December 17, 2025 through January 28, 2026. Inquiries and responsive written comments should be submitted to Greg Roberts, Director of Land Administration, Office of State Resources, at Greg.Roberts@la.gov.
State Lease Investment Program-Public Comment Draft
Special Notice Regarding the Public Hearing for Docket No. OMR 25-01; Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC- Proposed Operating Agreement
The Office of Mineral Resources will hold a public hearing regarding Docket No. OMR 25-01 for Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC- Proposed Operating Agreement for Hydrocarbon Storage in the Washingston Field Gas Storage Area, St. Landry Parish on October 17, 2025. See details below:
Public Hearing Notice for St. Landry Parish
Special Notice Regarding Resolution No. 25-02-005, House Bill No. 24 (Act 17)
House Bill No. 24 (Act 17) was passed by the Louisiana State Legislature during the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session, allowing for the increase of certain administrative fees associated with the State of Louisiana’s mineral leasing process due to inflationary adjustments.
During its February 2025 meeting, the State Mineral and Energy Board adopted Resolution No. 25-02-005, granting the Office of Mineral Resources the authority to implement the following fee increases:
• The application for lease fee will increase from $400 to $600.
• The request to furnish proof of publication will increase from $20 to $35.
• State lease transfers or assignments will increase from $100 to $175, per State Lease No.
• The application for a storage lease will increase from $50 to $100.
In accordance with the terms of Resolution No. 25-02-005, these fee increases will take effect on June 1, 2025.
Final Carbon Capture Sequestration and Wind Energy Operating Agreements
CS01A Operating Agreement - Air Products Blue Energy
CS01B Operating Agreement - Air Products Blue Energy
CS01C Operating Agreement - Air Products Blue Energy
CS02A Operating Agreement - Capio Sequestration
CS02B Operating Agreement - Capio Sequestration
CS003 Operating Agreement - Venture Global CCS Plaquemines, LLC
CS004 Operating Agreement - Venture Global CCS Cameron, LLC
CS05A Operating Agreement - High West Sequestration, LLC
CS05B Operating Agreement - High West Sequestration, LLC
CS05C Operating Agreement - High West Sequestration, LLC
CS006 Operating Agreement - Castex Carbon Solutions, LLC
WE001 Operating Agreement - Cajun Wind, LLC
WE002 Operating Agreement - DOW LA Gulf Wind, LLC
Carbon Sequestration Agreement Template
MORE INFORMATION REGARDING CARBON CAPTURE SEQUESTRATION AND WIND ENERGY AGREEMENTS
Special Notice Regarding Data Storage Requirement Changes
Beginning January 1, 2024, the Office of Mineral Resources will no longer accept Compact Discs (CD's) for Nomination or Bid packets, Releases or any other instrument that would require data storage. A Thumb Drive will be the new required data storage practice. If you would like your Thumb Drive returned to you after it is processed, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the Nomination or Bid packet and it will be mailed back. Any questions regarding this new procedure may be directed to the Petroleum Lands Director, Greg Roberts at (225) 342-1080.
New 2019 State Lease Form
The Office of Mineral Resources is pleased to announce that the State Mineral and Energy Board approved a new State Lease Form at the October 9, 2019 Board Meeting. The new Lease Form will apply to all leases awarded beginning with the December 2019 Lease Sale.
History of the State Mineral Lease Form and a Discussion of the Proposed New Draft by Jamie S. Manuel
Presented at the 66th Mineral Law Institute Conference held on March 15, 2019
LEASING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN LOUISIANA
September 7, 2018
The Office of Mineral Resources encourages prospective oil and gas companies and industry to review the information provided below regarding leasing opportunities available in Louisiana:
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY
March 19, 2018
The Austin Chalk play in Louisiana has experienced a resurgence in drilling activity. The Office of Mineral Resources encourages prospective oil and gas companies and industry to review the information provided below:
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY MAIN PAGE
RESURGENCE IN AUSTIN CHALK PLAY REPORT
NOTICE TO ROYALTY PAYORS
Resolution #15-08-012 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its August 12, 2015 meeting. This Resolution affirms that upon satisfaction of all requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act, OMR Staff is directed to commence assessing to Payors a fee of Sixty-Five Dollars ($65.00) per hour to recoup the costs incurred by OMR for processing requests for reimbursement of overpayments of royalties. This Resolution is effective on all requests for a recoupment received after October 1, 2015.
Resolution #15-08-013 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its August 12, 2015 meeting. This Resolution affirms that the OMR Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary be and are hereby authorized to evaluate and process penalty waiver requests for penalties assessed pursuant to La. R.S 30:136.B(2) and La. R.S 30:136.B(3) in amounts up to Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). This Resolution is effective as of October 1, 2015.
Resolution #15-08-014 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its August 12, 2015 meeting. This Resolution affirms that the OMR Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary process penalty waiver requests for penalties assessed pursuant to La. R.S 30:136.B(2) in accordance with the set protocol. This resolution is effective as of October 1, 2015.
NOTICES REGARDING ASSIGNMENTS
Proposed new Form A, entitled "Acknowledgment and Estoppel Certification", recently noticed for public comment, is currently under revision and will be posted later for further comment.
Similarly, Form D, entitled "Designation of Joint Account Lessee", implemented by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its meeting on September 9, 2015, is under revision based upon concerns raised by industry representatives. For this reason, this form need not currently be included in any request for approval of an assignment or other transfer of interest in a State Lease.
Form B (Statement of Conveyance) and Form C (Certification of Bankruptcy Status) must still be submitted for consideration by the State Mineral and Energy Board with all requests for approval of an assignment or other transfer.
Resolution #15-07-052 was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board at its July 8, 2015 meeting. This Resolution applies to the fee authorized by La. R.S. 30:128 in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for reviewing, researching, and processing requested transfers and assignments of Leases of minerals or mineral rights owned by the State. This fee will be applied to each Lease for which an interest is requested to be transferred or assigned. This Resolution is effective as of July 8, 2015.
This is a change from the fee assessment of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each individual document of conveyance, regardless of the number of Leases to which the document may apply, to a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each Lease within an individual document of conveyance for which a transfer or assignment is requested.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Effective August 1, 2015, Act 362 of the 2015 Regular Legislative Session changed the oil and gas regulatory fund fee from $5.00 to $15.00. The $15 fee for the Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Fund remains unchanged. Therefore, the $20 per acre fee will now be $30 per acre. A separate check in this amount made payable to the "Office of Mineral Resources" shall accompany the original bid (inside the sealed bid envelope).
LIGNITE LEASE FORM
The new Lignite or Coal Mining Lease Form was adopted by the State Mineral and Energy Board on September 9, 2015.
The State Mineral and Energy Board is considering a proposed new Mineral Lease Form for lignite. A draft of the full text of the proposed lease form may be accessed by clicking here.
Important Information for Bidders
Criteria for Waiver of Liquidated Damages for the Late Release of a State Mineral Lease
Royalty Adjustments Resolution effective 7/14/2010